Taking Xanax with cannabis could increase the risk of side effects from Xanax, especially sleepiness. Due to this interaction, doctors will typically advise that you do not take Xanax with cannabis. Here is a list of medications that can interact with Xanax. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Xanax. It’s common to have anxiety about the stresses of everyday life. However, with GAD, you have ongoing anxiety about everyday life that’s excessive and out of proportion.
Weight changes may not necessarily happen because of Xanax itself. Weight changes were a common side effect in studies of the drug. RxList does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Alprazolam (Xanax) has moderate interactions with at least 264 different drugs. That is why, if Xanax is being used, therapy is so important.
- Selling or giving away Xanax may harm others, and is against the law.
- With dependence, your body gets used to a drug and needs it for you to feel like you usually do.
- If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
- Concomitant use of benzodiazepines, including XANAX, and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death.
- Xanax tablets are immediate release, which means all of the drug is released into your body soon after a tablet dissolves.
Treatment & Support

The chemical name of alprazolam is 8-Chloro-1-methyl-6-phenyl-4H-s-triazolo 4,3-α 1,4 benzodiazepine. XANAX contains alprazolam which is a triazolo analog of the 1,4 benzodiazepine class of central nervous system-active compounds. As in all cases of drug overdosage, respiration, pulse rate, and blood pressure should be monitored. General supportive measures should be employed, along with immediate gastric lavage. Intravenous fluids should be administered and an adequate airway maintained.
Xanax And Withdrawal And Dependence

Talk to your care team about all the medications, vitamins, and supplements you take. Call emergency services right away if you have slow or shallow breathing, feel dizzy or confused, or have trouble staying awake. The continued use of benzodiazepines, including XANAX, may lead to clinically significant physical dependence. In patients with hepatic impairment, the recommended starting oral dosage of XANAX is 0.25 mg, given 2 or 3 times daily.

Serious Side Effects
A treatment plan consisting of both medications and therapy takes into account the complexity of all the factors that can contribute to having anxiety. An anxiety medication such as Xanax can be an effective tool for managing your condition. Learn about what Xanax is, how it works and the risks and benefits.
General Health

However, the lingering effects or “fuzzy feelings” may stretch out for around six hours. One of the reasons why Xanax is so effective for treating panic is that the peak impact from the dose comes quickly. Most people will experience it between one and two hours after taking their dose. Doctors generally recommend that first-time Xanax users start with the lowest possible dose. Until you know how the drug will affect you, it’s better to take less and build up to a higher dose. Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of alprazolam and gradually increase your dose, not more than once every 3 or 4 days.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Talk with your doctor about what your dosage taper schedule will be. Another form of Xanax is available, which is called Xanax XR. This form of the drug is used to treat panic disorder only. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Xanax belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. It’s also a good idea to tell your doctor if you’re using the drug recreationally.
For more complete information on possible side effects of Xanax, you can talk with your medical professional or pharmacist. They may also be able to recommend tips on how to help prevent and ease side effects. If you have anxiety, your medical professional may recommend that you take a prescription drug called Xanax. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. It is not known if Xanax is safe and effective when used to treat anxiety disorder for longer than 4 months. Anxiety isn’t just a chemical imbalance, life experiences also affect it, relationships, trauma, and stress.
When you and your doctor agree that you should stop taking Xanax, they’ll reduce your dose slowly over time. Xanax and Valium may be used to treat anxiety disorders, although both drugs have other uses that differ. Consuming alcohol during Xanax treatment can also increase your risk of an overdose from Xanax and, in rare cases, death. If you feel you need help avoiding alcohol while taking Xanax, talk with your doctor. Panic disorder is a common mental health condition that can affect your daily life and impact your relationships with others.
Viibryd (vilazodone Hydrochloride) Medication Guide
Tell your healthcare provider if you feel that alprazolam is not working. If you’re taking Xanax XR, the usual starting dose is 0.5 to 1 milligram once a day taken in the morning. Depending on your response, the dose may be gradually increased by no more than 1 milligram every 3 or 4 days. Some people may need a larger dose to relieve their symptoms. Others, including older adults and those with liver disease or other serious illnesses, may need to use lower doses.
This includes prescription and over-the-counter medication. It’s also important to mention any herbs, supplements, and vitamins you may use. Your medical professional or pharmacist can tell you about possible interactions these substances may have with Xanax. They’ll ultimately prescribe the lowest dosage of Xanax that you need to relieve your anxiety symptoms. Misuse means taking a drug in a way that’s different from how your medical professional recommended you take it. An addiction means continuing to take a drug even if it causes you harm.

If you have questions about consuming other foods with Xanax, talk with your doctor. Consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking Xanax could increase your risk of side effects from Xanax. It’s best to avoid consuming grapefruit products while taking Xanax.
If an opioid is initiated in a patient already taking XANAX, prescribe a lower initial dose of the opioid and titrate based upon clinical response. In geriatric patients, the recommended starting oral dosage of XANAX is 0.25 mg, given 2 or 3 times daily. This may be gradually increased if needed and tolerated. Geriatric patients may be especially sensitive to the effects of benzodiazepines. If adverse reactions occur at the recommended starting dosage, the dosage may be reduced see Use in Specific Populations (8.5), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3).
Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Xanax is typically used for short-term treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. Your medical professional may recommend combining Xanax with long-term treatment to further manage your anxiety. Medications used for this long-term treatment can include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as sertraline (Zoloft). Before you take Xanax, be sure to tell your medical professional about any other drugs you take.